Toronto's Next: 10 Producers You Should Know

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When it comes to how Toronto hip-hop sounds today, there's no denying it—the work of Noah "40" Shebib, Boi-1da, and T-Minus put the sound of the city on the map. These producers built a unique palate that's dark, grimy, and rides an endless wave of 808s. While that same aesthetic still holds strong today, the success of the sound put a spotlight on Toronto as a stomping ground for new producers—including Brampton prodigy WondaGurl—showcasing an undeniable talent pool. Grab a pair of headphones and sit your ass down. Here are 10 Toronto producers you need to know. Let us know which ones we missed in the comments below. 

1. Lantz

Twitter: @lantzmusic

Michael Lantz is the maestro behind “cinematic trap” and the majority composer of Jazz Cartier’s excellent “Marauding In Paradise.” Tracks like “Dead or Alive” and “New Religion” are unsubtly aggressive and executed with flair. Lantz isn’t a one-trick pony though—check out “Always Up To Something” and understand the variety he offers.

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2. Chef Byer

Twitter: @chefbyer

OB O’Brein’s “Steve Nash” was just fine, but the beat was pure flames. Chef Byer’s bass drum smacks us in the face like we insulted someone’s mother. We can't pinpoint his trademark yet, but that also means he isn't gimmicky. The dude's portfolio is great.

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3. Frank Dukes

Twitter: @frankdukes

Float On,” the closer from Danny Brown’s Old, was expertly crafted by a couple of 6 Gods. Aside from the jazzy interpolations by local heroes BADBADNOTGOOD, Frank Dukes is the one to throw down some polish. Don’t be surprised that DrakeTinashe, Eminem, and Jeezy, all had beats by him on their recent projects.

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4. Daniel Worthy

Twitter: @danielworthy

One half of MostHigh (the duo responsible for Drake's "Star67"), Daniel Worthy has yet to grab any massive co-signs on his own. We really hope that changes soon. Dig through his Soundcloud and it’s hard not imagine big things. On woozy tracks like "Summin" by Tory Lanez, Worthy delivers production that leaves us hungry for more.

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5. Arthur McArthur

Twitter: @arthurmcarthur

Logic’s banger “Now” received a nice assist by Arthur MacArthur, the producer so nice, we said his name twice. We're not sure how he helped out SK on Pusha's "Trust You," but we're thankful nonetheless. He’s Grammy nominated, and the only one on our list that rides with The Lonely Island. That should be enough for anyone to be on board.

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6. Eestbound

Twitter: @eestbound

Eestbound is closely associated with his "best friend in sound," Wondagurl. The two collaborated on Young Thug's, "Freaky", and to no one's surprise, it was a banger. Like his partner in crime, Eestbound augments the bass with guttural punches. A growing signature sound includes tantrumatic drums and snares that snap with authority. Keep an ear out for Eestbound.

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7. Nineteen85

Twitter:  @Nineteen85

Drake dropped some massive cuts last year, including "0-100" and The Pinkprint cameo "Truffle Butter." Both got their share of airtime, and both included production credits from Nineteen85. The beautifully sampled "Too Much" can also be attributed to Nineteen85's acumen. For now, it seems OVO crew is hoarding his talent, but we hope he branches out in the near future.

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8. Sevn Thomas

Twitter: @SEVNTHOMAS

We found Canada's answer to England's Joker, and his name is Sevn Thomas. Both share an affinity for airy and warped synths that blanket gloriously ratchet beats. Thomas is a producer whose sound comfortably sits its own lane here in North America. His 2014 EP, "Hidden Hand," includes a wild Burial interpolation. The whole project is a gold mine for aspiring emcees. With credits on Drake's "10 Bands" and "6PM In New York," it's safe to say we'll be hearing Sevn Thomas' beats everywhere soon.

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9. FrancisGotHeat

Twitter: @FrancisGotHeat

​Laced with floating piano keys,  FrancisGotHeat composes some almost romantic sounding melodies. Maybe that's why R&B artists have begun recruiting the John River collaborator. That's all well and good, but it would be shame to give up on his trill shit.

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10. Free N Losh

Twitter: @freenlosh

​Lee Freedman and Myles Schwartz are Free n Losh—masters of a jazzy and dance-oriented sound that's often lost in the grit and grime of the 6. Their Nas remix is a nice reminder of what the duo can bring to the game. Yeah, we want more of that.

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